Sports > September 27, 2007

By Susie Manship | Staff writer

The Brown University Bears came into Spry Stadium Sept. 21 looking for their first victory. The (0-4-1) Bears didn’t find it in Winston-Salem, as the Deacs defeated Brown 2-0. The Bears fought hard defensively, but the Deacs (4-3-1) capitalized on two long shots.

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Sophomore Samatha Germano dribbles past a defender during the Deacs’ 2-1 win over Brown Sept. 21. (Andrew Imboden/Old Gold & Black)

Junior Amy Smerdzinski scored the first goal of the match. The 20-yard shot was assisted by sophomore Jill Hutchinson. Hutchinson followed with a 15-yard shot to put Wake up 2-0. Sophomore goalkeeper Laura Morse recorded her first win and shutout of the season.

“It has been a rough season so far, since we have been playing really well but not getting the end result that we need,” senior Ashley Burney said. “The game against Brown has definitely gotten us back into that awareness that we can come out on top when we finish out opportunities.”

The team had a quick turnaround after Brown as they traveled to Morgantown, W. Va., Sept. 23. Wake defeated the No. 13 Mountaineers 2-1. In the 16th minute, Mountaineer Deana Everett scored the first goal of the match. West Virginia held the Deacs scoreless in the first half.

Wake came out strong the second half as Hutchinson scored her fifth goal of the season in the 63rd minute of play. With only 3 minutes left, Burney had a game-winning header off a corner kick from sophomore Kaley Fountain. It was Burney’s first goal of the season.

“It was a solid team effort for 90 minutes straight, with every girl walking off exhausted from working hard,” Burney said.

Wake was only the second team to defeat the Mountaineers at home in West Virginia’s last 23 games. This win also marks the highest ranked win so far for the Deacons, and it could not have come at a better time.

The Deacs start conference play at home Sept. 27 as they take on Virginia Tech. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Spry Stadium.

The win brings the Deacons 5-3-1 on the season.